Helicopter crash-lands in Rajshahi, passengers safe

A private helicopter, S2 AHW, of Impress Aviation Limited, lies damaged after it crash-landed at Godagari in Rajshahi on Thursday. — New Age photo

Channel i and Impress Telefilm Managing director Faridur Reza Sagar, singer Ferdaus Ara and Shornokishoree Network Foundation chairman and chief executive officer Farzana Brownia among seven narrowly escaped as the helicopter carrying them crash-landed at Godagari upazila in Rajshahi on Thursday. The private helicopter, S2 AHW, of Impress Aviation Limited, took off with six people, including Sagar, Ferdous Ara, and Brownia, around 2:30pm, but crashed within a few minutes of its takeoff at the helipad due to technical glitches, said Godagari Police Station officer-in-charge Jahangir Alam.He said they went to Anwara Fahim Ziauddin Pilot Girls High School to attend a bicycle distribution ceremony among the gold teenagers.The helicopter pilot captain Sayed Shakil told New Age that a plume of smoke was seen coming from the engine after two or three minutes of takeoff and suddenly the helicopter crash-landed upon a half-constructed building.Local resident Ujjal Hossain, an eyewitness, told New Age that the helicopter started flying five minutes after the engine started. ‘There was a big bang after the helicopter went to the height of 20-25 yards, and then it fell on a pillar of the half-constructed building.’Nazrul Islam, Godagari fire service and civil defence station leader told New Age that Faridur Reza Sagar, Rafiqul Islam, Tufan Ali and Sumon Ali received minor injuries and were given first aids at Godagari Health Complext while singer Ferdous Ara and Farzana Brownia remained unhurt.Later, they were taken to Rajshahi Shah Makhdum Airport where they availed a flight to Dhaka, he said. They reached Dhaka in the evening, Channel I officials said.